The Government says thousands of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren will now be provided with practical support.
In Auckland on Friday, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett launched a parenting programme budgeted to cost $600,000 per year.
Ms Bennett said grandparents often have a tough job looking after grandchildren who have suffered abuse or trauma and been removed from their parents' homes.
She said the programme will be available for up to 5000 grandparents raising children to help meet those challenges.
About 10,000 children are currently being raised by their grandparents or members of their extended family.
